House committee OKs bill to provide more funds for inlet dredging

Published: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 4:22 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 6, 2014 at 4:22 p.m.

A state House judiciary committee has advanced a bill that could provide more funds for shallow-draft inlet dredging, as well as increase penalties for the theft of Venus' flytraps in several local counties.

The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Ted Davis, R-New Hanover, specifically provides flexibility in the use of room-occupancy tax funds, or ROT funds.

According to Davis, New Hanover County is currently collecting ROT funds in the unincorporated parts of the county for beach nourishment there. Since there are no beaches located within the unincorporated area that need to be nourished, the funds are not being used. Those funds have been collected since 2006 and there is currently about $1 million in the pot, Davis said.

Davis' legislation piggybacks on a deal passed last year that included roughly $5 million annually for dredging shallow-draft inlets for communities that put up a $1-for-$1 match.

The deal increased fees on boats under 26 feet from $15 to $30 and from $15 to $50 for boats 26 feet and longer to create the dredge fund. A portion of funding also comes from the state gas tax.

Local municipalities in need of the money, however, do not necessarily have the local funds available to be able to pay the state match, Davis said.

"The great thing about this legislation is it takes funds that are intended to be used in the unincorporated area but can't be used for beach renourishment and allows them to be used for shallow draft inlet dredging," he said. "That will help offset the cost to the local beaches when they have to come up with that dollar-for-dollar match."

Among New Hanover's shallow-draft inlets is Carolina Beach Inlet, which needs regular dredging to remain safely navigable. But finding funds for the work has proven increasingly difficult in recent years as the federal and state governments have tightened their fiscal belts.

Carolina Beach Town Manager Michael Cramer said he had not seen the specific legislation but was encouraged by efforts to provide flexibility in spending of the ROT funds, which is an additional tax on hotel stays and rentals under 30 days.

"From our standpoint any ability for us to be able to utilize resources to help improve the shallow-draft inlets would be a good thing for the state and county," he said.

Davis said his bill is likely next to be heard by the House Finance Committee before it makes its way to the floor for a vote. It would then go to the Senate.

The measure also attempts to crack down on the local theft of Venus' flytraps.

Davis' measure originally made such thefts a felony specifically in New Hanover County. The legislation has since been expanded to include the counties of Brunswick, Pender and Onslow at the request of legislators in those areas.

<p>A state House judiciary committee has advanced a bill that could provide more funds for shallow-draft inlet dredging, as well as increase penalties for the theft of Venus' flytraps in several local counties.</p><p>The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Ted Davis, R-New Hanover, specifically provides flexibility in the use of room-occupancy tax funds, or ROT funds. </p><p>According to Davis, New Hanover County is currently collecting ROT funds in the unincorporated parts of the county for beach nourishment there. Since there are no beaches located within the unincorporated area that need to be nourished, the funds are not being used. Those funds have been collected since 2006 and there is currently about $1 million in the pot, Davis said. </p><p>Davis' legislation piggybacks on a deal passed last year that included roughly $5 million annually for dredging shallow-draft inlets for communities that put up a $1-for-$1 match. </p><p>The deal increased fees on boats under 26 feet from $15 to $30 and from $15 to $50 for boats 26 feet and longer to create the dredge fund. A portion of funding also comes from the state gas tax.</p><p>Local municipalities in need of the money, however, do not necessarily have the local funds available to be able to pay the state match, Davis said. </p><p>"The great thing about this legislation is it takes funds that are intended to be used in the unincorporated area but can't be used for beach renourishment and allows them to be used for shallow draft inlet dredging," he said. "That will help offset the cost to the local beaches when they have to come up with that dollar-for-dollar match."</p><p>Among New Hanover's shallow-draft inlets is Carolina Beach Inlet, which needs regular dredging to remain safely navigable. But finding funds for the work has proven increasingly difficult in recent years as the federal and state governments have tightened their fiscal belts.</p><p>Carolina Beach Town Manager Michael Cramer said he had not seen the specific legislation but was encouraged by efforts to provide flexibility in spending of the ROT funds, which is an additional tax on hotel stays and rentals under 30 days.</p><p>"From our standpoint any ability for us to be able to utilize resources to help improve the shallow-draft inlets would be a good thing for the state and county," he said.</p><p>Davis said his bill is likely next to be heard by the House Finance Committee before it makes its way to the floor for a vote. It would then go to the Senate.</p><p>The measure also attempts to crack down on the local theft of Venus' flytraps. </p><p>In a highly publicized May 2013 theft, poachers stole 1,000 flytraps from Wilmington's Alderman Park (since renamed the Piney Ridge Nature Preserve). </p><p>Davis' measure originally made such thefts a felony specifically in New Hanover County. The legislation has since been expanded to include the counties of Brunswick, Pender and Onslow at the request of legislators in those areas.</p><p>Metro desk: 343-2389</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @StarNewsMolly</p>